Russian President Putin’s Opponents Mysteriously Vanish: Analysts Suspect Involvement of Russian Intelligence Services
In a disturbing pattern of events, Russian President Vladimir Putin’s opponents have been disappearing under mysterious circumstances. The most recent victim is Alexei Navalny, Putin’s greatest domestic opponent, who died after a sudden collapse, according to Russian authorities. However, many analysts suspect the involvement of Russian intelligence services in these deaths.
Rebekah Koffler, a strategic military intelligence analyst and author of “Putin’s Playbook,” believes that Russian intelligence services are likely behind Navalny’s death. She explains that the Russians have a specific intelligence tradecraft that dates back to 1920, which they use to eliminate their enemies. They are masters at covering their tracks and making assassinations look like natural or accidental deaths. Koffler refers to this as “wet affairs,” a doctrine of targeted assassinations that includes poisonings, executions, forced suicides, and other contrived methods.
Koffler argues that Putin wants the world to know that his operatives are behind these operations. He sends subtle signals that are easily picked up by those who understand his tactics. For example, after the poisoning of GRU officer Sergei Skripal, Putin stated in an interview that “treason is the biggest crime on Earth, and traitors must be punished.” In another instance, he mentioned that “traitors will kick the bucket on their own.” These statements indicate his involvement in eliminating his opponents.
Navalny’s death in prison was initially attributed to “sudden death syndrome” by prison officials. However, an anonymous paramedic claimed to have seen bruising on his body consistent with someone being held down during a seizure. This raises suspicions about the official cause of death and suggests foul play.
Navalny and Yevgeny Prigozhin, the chief of Wagner, are just two examples of Putin’s opponents meeting sudden demises. Boris Nemtsov, another major domestic rival, was shot four times while crossing a bridge outside the Kremlin. Although authorities arrested five men for his murder, the Russian government refuses to classify it as a political assassination.
The list goes on, with the deaths of journalist Anna Politkovskaya and human rights activist Natalya Estemirova, both known for their criticism of the Kremlin. Investigations into their deaths failed to determine who ordered the killings. It is worth noting that Ramzan Kadyrov, who eventually took power as the head of the Chechen Republic, was dismissed as a suspect in Politkovskaya’s death.
In recent years, several high-profile Russian businessmen have also died under strange circumstances after speaking out against Russia’s invasion of Ukraine. These deaths include Lukoil’s Chairman Ravil Maganov, who allegedly fell out of a hospital window, and Pavel Antov, known as the “sausage king” of Russia, who fell from a window in India. International investigators suggest that these deaths could be staged suicides or assassinations as retaliation for their opposition to the invasion or links to corruption.
Rebekah Koffler explains that these deaths are designed to be stealthy so that no investigator can identify foul play. They are often labeled as “tragic accidents” to further conceal any evidence of assassination.
The mysterious deaths of Putin’s opponents raise serious concerns about the state of democracy and human rights in Russia. It is clear that those who dare to challenge Putin’s authority face grave consequences. As the world watches these events unfold, it becomes increasingly important to hold Russia accountable for its actions and protect those who speak out against injustice.
In conclusion, the disappearances and deaths of Putin’s opponents cannot be dismissed as mere coincidences. The involvement of Russian intelligence services is highly suspected, given their history of targeted assassinations and their ability to cover their tracks. These incidents highlight the dangers faced by those who oppose Putin’s regime and the urgent need for international scrutiny and action.